The Teac D-3 is a high-performance digital-to-analog (D/A) converter that was manufactured from 1994 to 1999 in Japan. It features an innovative design with separate drive and D/A converter units, enhancing audio performance. The device incorporates a newly developed Digital Servo Ratio Locked Loop (DSRLL) to significantly reduce jitter in the digital input, achieving a reduction in the audible band of 3 Hz or higher by 40 dB in contrast to conventional systems. Supporting up to 20 bits of digital input, it utilizes a distortion shaper (ZDII) that averages D/A conversion errors through dither, enabling an ideal conversion accuracy of 21 bits and providing a high signal-to-noise ratio. The D-3 operates in a double-differential mode utilizing a wide-band amplifier operating at 50 MHz to greatly improve audio quality. It features a high-band characteristic switching mechanism with two modes: narrow mode and wide mode, which allows selective cutting of signals above 20 kHz. The converter incorporates a sine wave moving average circuit for accurate over-sampling and operates with four types of digital inputs: ST, RCA, BNC, and XLR. A noteworthy aspect of its construction is the use of a robust double-plated chassis designed to enhance ground potential and electromagnetic shielding. Additionally, the unit offers features such as an absolute phase switching mechanism and a soft mute switch. The use of a high-precision digital attenuator further contributes to the D-3's exceptional audio fidelity.
